In memory of Pat Arnold, September 21, 1925 - February 3, 2018

Pat's full obituary reads as follows:

Patricia M. Arnold
September 21, 1925 - February 3, 2018
Santa Cruz

Ever the optimist, with a can-do attitude, Pat Arnold, at the age of 92, was on the telephone, selling advertising, in spite of the fact that three months earlier she had experienced a stroke that affected her ability to speak and read. This challenge was a set-back, but it never held her back from living life as fully as possible, until she passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday night, February 3, 2018, surrounded by three generations of her family.

Pat was a force to be reckoned with. An inspirational and tireless social and political activist, whose boundless energy made a difference in every community where she lived.

In her early years, as a young mother in New York City, she worked to improve tenants' rights and labor conditions. In Los Angeles, where her family moved in 1960, she started The San Fernando Valley Peace Center, where she helped provide draft counseling during the Vietnam War years, and held art auctions to raise money for many events involving peace, civil rights and social justice. When she and her husband, Chuck, moved to Santa Cruz County in 1980 to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren, Pat immediately became involved with the local Chapters of W.I.L.P.F. and the N.A.A.C.P., and later helped found the Santa Cruz County Chapter of The United Nations Association. Over the years, Pat served as a mentor to many young social activists, enlisting them in projects that helped develop their organizational and leadership skills.

Along with her involvement with local politics, Pat was also a talented businesswoman, who learned the trade of map making and advertising sales in Los Angeles from her father. For over 45 years she was involved with this family business, and many people will tell you just how hard it was to say no to Pat Arnold. She enjoyed creating fundraisers, and her business skills proved invaluable to the many organizations that were important to her, including The Central Labor Council, The Reel Works Film Festival, and The U.N.A.

A life-long fan of The New Yorker magazine, Pat was an avid reader with a keen intellect, becoming an author herself, with seven books, three of a personal nature and four murder mysteries involving Bridge, another one of her passions. She loved opera and was a member of The Santa Cruz Opera Society. Though not a trained singer, she was an enthusiastic member of The Santa Cruz Raging Grannies, and enjoyed singing at events throughout the County. Pat was so proud of the musical and entrepreneurial endeavors of her daughter, Linda Arnold, her granddaughter, Ariel Thiermann, and her grandson, Toby Thiermann. A woman of action, she always encouraged them to pursue their dreams.

Pat loved being out in the world. She was enthusiastic about and attended the many social, political, and artistic events promoting the causes for which she was passionate, including Santa Cruz First Friday, where she tried to fit in as many art galleries as she could, especially those with free food!

Gardening was also one of Pat's pleasures in life, spending hours patiently weeding her flowers and groundcovers. Thirty-five years ago, on the property where she and her husband, Chuck, built their solar home, Pat planted a ring of redwoods. That grove now stands as a majestic tribute to her indomitable spirit.

Ready for every new adventure, like the Roaring Camp Train ride she took with her family just three months before her passing, Pat was a lover of life. We will miss her laugh, her stubbornness, her feisty spirit, and her deeply generous heart. Goodnight our silver-haired tiger. We love you and we promise to carry the torch.

There will be a memorial service for Pat Arnold on Saturday, March 17, 2018, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The Resource Center For Non-Violence, 612 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Pat's name to: The United Nations Association of Santa Cruz County, P.O. Box 865, Santa Cruz, CA 95061.


View the online memorial for Pat Arnold:
http://www.lastingmemories.com/memorial/patricia-m-arnold